Suddenly, they saw green spark coming out of Midorima's eyes.

Everyone's jaws dropped while Akashi was smirking. That was also another reason why he had ordered Aomine, Kise and Murasakibara to not enter the zone. He wanted to pressure the remaining GoM member that has yet to enter the realm of mental focus so that he could possibly enter the zone and it worked for Midorima, at least for this time.

The game restarted once again and not surprisingly, Akashi stole the ball from Kiyoshi again, earning a grunt from the Uncrowned King. He passed the ball to the green haired star shooter of the Generation of Miracles and presently, all of his teammates were wondering how much his shot would improve once he dives deep into the waters of the zone. They got their answer immediately as Midorima caught the ball with lightning fast speed.

The lanky shooter held the ball in a triple threat position. Then, with a quick snap of his fingers, the ball went flying into the hoop in a high arc with such speed that no one could even react or move to try to block the megane. Midorima did not even jump to shoot the leather basketball through the hoop. Everyone in Midorima's team cheered as the ball ended up going though the ring ungrazed by the metal.

Now it was going to be fun.

Kagami cursed loudly as he was no longer in the zone. Meanwhile, the other four were passing the ball to Midorima as many times as possible. Midorima in the zone was really a whole different thing all together. Even though he was left handed, he could now shoot the ball with his right hand and without even needing to jump so leaping up to slam down his shots was futile. Furthermore, he could do it from any position, unlike his normal self where he usually shoots in the top of the three-point line.

Furthermore, while he was dribbling the ball and running, he could just throw it and not even look at the hoop while the ball just dropped in. This was already the fourth quarter, so Kagami would not be able to enter the zone so fast again. It's now up to Kamijou Touma and the rest of the Team B squad to try and counter every shot Midorima throws.

Throughout the fourth quarter, Midorima was like this mean shooting machine. Once the ball was passed to him, the green haired shooter would just throw it in if no one was marking him or dribbling it further then shoot it with such speed that rivals eve that of Aomine and Kise. Only the coordination of Kamijou and Kiyoshi was keeping the whole Team B from falling into a double-digit deficit with some help from Mibuchi's own threes.

Momoi, who was sitting on the bench while jotting down some notes, was muttering, "A-Amazing...if everyone in the team could go into the zone at anytime they wished, then who knows what kind of team this group of players is composed of. It's like the cream of the crop..." It would take a lot of work though to do that. So far only Akashi and Aomine were able to do so at anytime and also Kagami who, when pressured, could enter the zone too.

After a few minutes, Kise was then subbed out by Sekiguchi and Kuroko had taken his place for the last five minutes of the match. At this point, Midorima had already obtained a higher speed and agility and furthermore, his shooting speed increased with the ability to shoot three pointers while even his feet is on motion. His accuracy even increased (not that his shots missed other than the times when touched against or threatened by the likes of Kagami) so that when the ball entered the hoop, it looked like a teardrop and not even swishing the net. The ball just went vertically in.

Shirogane, who was observing every player, had his mouth agape. Midorima was already a top-tier shooter since his time in Teiko but this? He had never thought that Midorima's shooting could upgrade by another level. So far, Kagami could not block a single of Midorima's shots ever since he had gone into the zone.

However, it was due to this that Kamijou was then having some thoughts in his mind.

So that's zone, huh? If he can pull it through, perhaps, I think I should do it as well now. Only my rotten luck would stop me from succeeding immediately, though.

As Kamijou Touma was now deep in his mental focus, Aomine and surprisingly, Murasakibara for the mean time grumbled about not having the chance to shoot but they knew also Midorima would have also wanted to try out his abilities when he was in the zone so they decided to endure it for now. However, Midorima had to stop after being in the zone for at least five minutes. He was panting really hard so Akashi told him to be benched first and thanks to Midorima, their point difference was already in double figures so they would be able to handle the match from here.

Momoi and Shirogane went to pass him a bottle of water and a cloth respectively as Kise was forced to reenter the game. Meanwhile, the current squad of the Team B was trying their best to keep up with the game since the Team A was a little overwhelming considering that in addition to Midorima having entered the zone, the remaining four has been reinforced by the timely arrival of Kuroko, who was there to change the pace of the game.

The other team was going to utilize the remaining time until the end of the match to catch up in the point difference as a result of Midorima in the zone. If he had continued to be in the zone until the end of the match, the other team would have no doubt doubled their scores in no time.

It was here that Kamijou decided to take full control for Team B.

"Kiyoshi-senpai! The ball!" The spiky haired boy then called out for the leather and Kiyoshi responded by simply giving up the leather possession. He then goes up against Akashi, whose complete Emperor Eyes are now blazing. Remembering what Kuroko had told him about their captain's near-all seeing eye, Kamijou knew it was foolish to try and do some tricks against Akashi. This meant one thing.

A quick drive around him would suffice then. Even if he gets a hang of it, he won't be able to stop it on time.

Decreasing his speed for the moment, he managed to stall Akashi, who for some reason, is thinking of the same thing. What will Kamijou do at this point? Where will he come from? From the left or from the right? If I were in his position, I would fake to the left and crossover? But what if he tried to outsmart me? Such thing is close to impossible. He only thing he can do now is make a full drive on either my right or left.

Suddenly, Kamijou had accelerated as he then lunged towards Akashi. The latter, though, saw right though this and was ready to steal the ball from him. The spiky haired boy, however, let his instincts do the talking for him and quickly, he pulled away as he steps back quickly.

A step back jumper? Okamura thought as Kamijou suddenly jumped high enough as he enters his shooting motion.

But Akashi saw right through this as well and he immediately closed the distance so fast like a blur and quickly jumped to try and stop the block. It's hopeless. Akashi would shut down this one. Midorima thought as Akashi's and was inches away from slamming the ball down.

What Kamijou did next stunned the whole squad.

"I knew it. I knew you would intercept me, fellow point guard…" Kamijou muttered mid-air before all of the sudden, he switched his hand from his shooting motion to a passing motion as he brings down the ball to his waist level and as he quickly saw Mibuchi waiting in the sides through his Falcon Eyes, he immediately made a behind-the-back pass.

So this is what he was aiming for! Akashi grumbled mentally as he didn't expect him to pass at this point.

Mibuchi caught it with ease and with the space Kiyoshi gave as the latter screened out Murasakibara with all his strength, the Rakuzan shooting guard made his three-point shot.

But most of all…

His eyes. Could it be… Akashi didn't know if he was simply being cross-eyed or was he imagining things. But as a splint second pass by, he can't be wrong with what he saw within Kamijou's dark blue eyes.

A tiny spark. A tiny literal spark.

It might be small but nevertheless, it's there.

Then that means…

As Team B then headed towards their own goal to defend, Akashi just can't help but be impressed by his counterpart's reaction time when under pressure. Just like how I pass in mid-air to Aomine or Murasakibara. He then brings down the ball as he passes it to Aomine, who reaches out to grab it but suddenly, a blur of spiky hair suddenly appeared as the ball disappeared from his sight.

"Kamijou stole it! Ran back!" Kiyoshi suddenly yelled as everyone of them scrambled into their feet into offense and defense as Akashi managed to catch up to the Imagine Breaker wielder but it was a step too late as Kamijou ducked in mid-air as Akashi tried to block his shot and quickly made a double-clutch shot as he falls down. The lead of Team A has been cut down to single digits again.

He might not be there yet. Akashi smiled as he watches Kamijou and Okamura high-fived each other. But it's there. It's only a matter of time before he breaks it out as well.

The battle went then on fiercely as the Team A then scored sonsecutive baskets to keep an inspired Team B at bay. Aomine and Kagami slugged it out as Kamijou continued to dished out assists and that's the same thing with Akashi. When the sound of the whistle finally stopped them, both teams looked towards the scoreboard.

111 - 109

Though Team A had obviously won, it was a very close match as the lead is only a basket. It would have been a win for Team B had Mibuchi's rainbow shot went in but ended up getting blocked by the giant Murasakibara. Both teams had shook hands and bowed, then walked back to their locker rooms. On their way, there was a huge conversation happening right now.

"Dammit, I didn't even get to play in an amazing game!" Right now, Hayama was complaining to Mibuchi as the latter simply wiped off his face. "The other team was able to…"

"Kotaro, I suggest you keep quiet for the moment…" The gay shooter whispered as he knew what would happen to them if Akashi happened to hear them. "Sei-chan won't like it if he hears you rambling loudly."

As everyone then was heading in the lockerrooms, Akashi took this as an opportunity to ask some few things from two individuals.

"Midorima, what is your trigger?" Akashi asked the exhausted green head on the way to their changing rooms. Akashi needed to know each of his teammates' triggers if they wanted to strategize for the incoming games.

Midorima looked slightly shocked at the sudden question as well as his sudden appearance to his side. "To be honest, I do not really know for now, Akashi. Perhaps it was to overcome an opponent who I would not be able to overpower in my regular self. It's the feeling that I won't let some dunking fool like Kagami defeat me and my shots." Midorima himself was not too sure but he just had this urge to outwit and beat Kagami's jumping power in a contest.

Akashi nodded in approval before walking ahead to keep pace beside Kamijou, who was a bit dizzy but still fine as he drinks his water. Midorima was lagging behind a little as he was still feeling rather ecstatic that he had actually entered the zone. He was slightly dazed and did not even realize what was happening in his surroundings until he was snapped back into reality by a hard whack to his back, courtesy of none other than Aomine.

"Ouch…Aomine, you ruffian!" Midorima yelled as he insults the power forwards.

Ignoring the frown of the green haired Shutoku ace, Aomine grinned as he wraps his right arm around his neck. "Was it fun to be in the zone? It was right? Right?"

"Hmph…It was alright." Midorima tried to suppress his urge to say something out of his character. "I don't see why you are so happy going into the zone. It's nothing more than a power boost uo—something that can be done with the right nutrients and supplements." Midorima muttered as he even madehis excuse quite long.

However, he was happy deep inside his heart.

Really happy.

Aomine gave him another hard whack. "Tsundere! Tsundere! Midorima's a tsundere! And seriously, what's with that long explanation. You could have just said that you were happy, you dimwit." Midorima shot him a death glare. Kise started teasing Midorima with Aomine as well. Sighing, Akashi and Kamijou went ahead first to change up and headed over to the washrooms.

"Good job on the game just now, Kamijou Touma. I kind of expected it I didn't expect someone to match up this good." Akashi congratulated. He then continued. "By the way, Kamijou, what were you thinking a while back in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter?"

"Eh? What I was thinking back then?" Of course, the spiky haired boy was quite confused at his question but he decided to answer it truthfully. "Well…honestly, when I saw Midorima enter the zone as well as Kagami, something inside me snapped. I don't know why or what it was but back then, all I could think is that I wanted to really compete with everyone who is strong enough. Basically, a strong player is someone that I would love to take on all day…"

"I see. Then that means that you're not yet fully entering the zone but you're standing at its gates." Akashi calmly explains, taking Kamijou by complete surprise. "A few more games and as long as you fully put your heart and soul into your game, I'm sure one of these days, it would be bound to happen." As Akashi then enters the shower room, Kamijou still stood at its door, not completely believing what the red head had all said.

But even so, that means that I'm also capable of entering it. But I'm supposed to be an unlucky man, right? He then enters the shower room and began to take a bath.

As the two point guards were taking their shower session, the rest of the team was busy chatting endlessly with one another as the others are quickly changing into their own casual clothes. Suddenly, Aomine had a crazy idea and said. "Listen you all! I have a great idea! Why don't we sneak in into Akashi's personal belongings and take away his sharp scissors while he's at the shower room. That way, he won't be able to make us suffer with heart attack when he brings out those sharp objects." The ganguro foolishly opened his mouth, now even realizing that Akashi can hear him even with the water from the sprinkler raining down on him.

"That's a great idea, Aominecchi!" Now, Kise was the second player to foolishly open his mouth as he agrees with Aomine's idea.

"Oi, you wouldn't want us to get killed with your reckless plan, Aomine!" At last, Midorima spoke with a clear disapproval with his plan.

"But Midorimacchi!" Kise protested. "That's yours scissors, right? This is a good opportunity to bring it back to you!"

And thus, they all began to bicker and argue among one another as those who are not involved with the Generation of Miracles simply face-palmed at this sight. Kuroko merely blinked his eyes as he didn't want to get involved in whatever ridiculous thing Aomine and Kise are planning. Nijimura sighed at this as he then thought twice if this was the team that he had once lead.

"Oh, there seemed to be a commotion going on right now."

Now, everyone stopped what they were doing as they were all caught in the act by Akashi, who ha djust came out of the washroom. Sekiguchi was contemplating about whether he should already pray for the poor souls of Aomine and Kise, who are right now shivering at the sight of their captain looking at them. The Rakuzan members were wondering how Akashi can even endure such a group of brutes. But then again, if there's someone much more brutal than the idiots of the GoM, it would be none other than their captain. Meanwhile, Shirogane placed a hand on his temple and sighed.

Akashi gave them a glare, clearly knowing what each of them was thinking.

"Aomine, Kise. Both of you. Your training regimen has been tripled in our training on Monday." Akashi calmly explained as he then picked up his bags and casually walked out of the locker room, unmindful of the cries of the two idiot pair of blue and yellow, who are now being consoled by Murasakibara by offering his bag of potato chips to them. Aomine denied it as he knew it was only already empty and there was no point in even accepting it.

Meanwhile, in a certain high school, things looked to a bit jovial as all of the students in the school are prepared to have their summer vacation. Komoe and Yomikawa had put the horrendous loss of their school versus Seirin in their backs and right now, they are enjoying their free time like there is no tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in a local ice cream shop near Seventh Mist, Fukiyose and Himegami surprisingly accepted the invitation of Tsuchimikado that they hang out outside of school after they have all completed their last requirements before the two-month break. As the four were busy slurping their ice cream (parfait on Himegami's case), they were all busy talking very random things like Fukiyose's wide forehead, much to her chagrin, Aogami's part-time job at the bakery shop, Komoe's height as well as the events back in December that caused the massive evacuation from the city. The Forehead Deluxe quicky sighed as he knew it was really a hassle at that time when she was forced to return home to Chiba due to the crisis that was happening at that time.

Nevertheless, all was quiet and peaceful until Tsuchimikado decides to break it by suddenly dropping an unexpected (or rather, expected topic).

"What do ya all think Kami-yan's doing right now, nya!" The blonde backstabber genuinely wondered as he licks his chocolate ice cream. "I kinda miss him right now, ya know! We don't have someone who can decide what is the best bunny suit!"

"I'm missin' Kami-yan badly as well!" Aogami said dramatically as he licks his ice cream as well. "I don't have someone to annoy to, much less a shameless playboy who liked hooking up with girls. Curse the Kami-yan bloodline!"

Hearing their rants, Fukiyose merely sighed as she quickly finished her vanilla ice cream. While she knew that the ice cream's nutritional value depends on its contents and how it is made, she chose vanilla as it was the most purest and healthiest out of the choicest she had. "And you're wondering why Kamijou's more comfortable with Kuroko and Kagami, Tsuchimikado?" She raised her eyebrows as she looks at Tsuchimikado with an intense look.

Upon hearing the Iron Wall Girl's reply, the blonde seemed to stiffen up as he seemed to get hurt with what Fukiyose said, not that the latter minded. Even Himegami felt it as she chose not to reply.

"Oi, Fukiyose, why the hell did you have to even bring up those two, especially that red-headed bastard?" Tsuchimikado scowled, his expression souring as he deeply knew he was still slightly angry for losing his best friend.

"Kagami might be a brute and an imbecile but he's not as idiotic as you are, Tsuchimikado. Same thing goes with Kuroko." Fukiyose felt like she wanted to apologize to the tealnette for even comparing him to the two male guys she's with right now. And on hindsight, she knew she should have expected this reaction from the Tsuchimikado. After all, he and Kagami were just a few inches from shredding each other to pieces the first day that they met and the big-breasted Fukiyose had to squeeze herself between the two to prevent that fight from almost happening.

"Say all what you want but frankly speaking, I don't like Kagami. Not at all." Tsuchimikado spat back as he finishes his chocolate ice cream. "He's as annoying as ever."

"I'm pretty sure he thinks the same about you so there's no point in ranting that part." Fukiyose, not minding the sudden raise of Tsuchimikado's voice, pointed out that fact as she was also finished in eating her ice cream.

"It's a mutual feeling." Tsuchimikado smirked then turned back into his cheerful and carefree character. "Besides, he might look tough but he's actually a fool. I saw it myself when we went in that place they call Maji Burger." He was recalling that one moment where he and Aogami trolled the Seirin main ace and ended up provoking him hilariously.

Fukiyose was surprised to hear that the two idiots in front of him ate with her other half's but she decided not to show it. It's not even worth her oxygen, in her opinion. "By the way, what do you all plan to do this summer? I plan to go home for the moment in Chiba and then watch the Olympics."

"Oh, so you wanna watch Kami-yan?" Tsuchimikado said with a with a chuckle and a teasing face. The Forehead Deluxe got flustered with what the blonde said but she didn't do anything to deny it either. It would be far-fetched to deny it, after all.

To save her from the trapping of Tsuchimikado, Himegami then opened her mouth. "I don't know what I want to do this summer vacation. Seiri, can I go with you to your hometown instead?"

"Don't you have any hometown to go to?" Fukiyose asked as she shows concern for her best friend. "Never mind…you can go with me in my hometown, then. What about you two, Tsuchimikado and Aogami? Oh right, you both have summer classes…" She rolled her eyes as she made that sarcastic remark.

"It doesn't matter, Fukiyose-sama!" Tsuchimikado gleefully replied. "I'm pretty sure even Kami-yan is studying—"

"Negative. He won't be able to play if he attends summer classes, be it in Seirin alone or in their national team." The busty lady shot down the blonde backstabber.

"Besides, I don't think his seniors in Seirin won't let him off the hook." Himegami squeaked, coming to the defense of the spiky haired boy. "He's too valuable for him to even skip a game. I heard that they don't tolerate players with low grades."

"Heh…too bad, nya!" Aogami carelessly said. "Then too bad for him! We'll be having lots of fun this summer with Komoe-sensei! He won't be able to steal away more girls from our grip!"

Fukiyose merely rolled her eyes at that remark. As if I'm letting that to my boyfriend. Wait…do they even know about that thing?

"Why don't we all go to Seirin, nya?!" Tsuchimikado made a proposal that looked to be quite normal at a first glance but was met with a disapproving look from the two ladies in front of them. "We can go and say hi to Kami-yan?"

"And get into another fight with Kagami-kun?" Himegami said it like she was joking but she was actually being serious.

"We can just ignore him and that tealnette guy who copied my—"

"Aogami, how can you say Kuroko copied your hair when you two don't even know each other that long?"

"Guys, let's just watch the Olympics."

Not surprisingly, Misaka voiced out those six words when they are talking about what they should do in their summer break. Right now, Shirai and Uiharu were given a month-long break from their Judgment duties and Saten was also free by this time. As of the moment, they are now taking their break at Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant. Uiharu ordered her usual bowl of parfait while the rest went with other types of dessert. Not long after, they began to talk about what they plan to do for their summer.

That was when Misaka revealed her choice.

"Well…I'm fine with watching that event…" Saten seemed pretty much uninterested with her senpai's suggestion but she cannot (or isn't willing to) voice out her own choice.

"Che. The only reason I'm agreeing with onee-sama's suggestion is because my cousin happens to be participating in it as well." As expected, Shirai knew had a hint that her dear sissy is only after that 'troglodyte' that she hated with all her heart. "Speaking of which, we can just watch on television. Why do we have to go to—"

"It's better if we watch it live, you know." Misaka's has prepared all her counterattacks. "Besides, who knows what could happen to that idiot again. He injured himself trying to get that damn basketball when that useless number 21 (she was referring to Yagi here) could have get it himself—"

"It's actually quite pretty normal to get those injuries." Shirai said as she sips her drink. "Even my cousin had already experienced a few beatings of his own. Basketball is a brute sport; you can't expect that you can get away unscathed every game that you play. Let's just be glad that Kamijou-san didn't suffer something worse like an ACL tear or torn ligaments in his knees."

"I get it so shut up…" Misaka muttered in annoyance. She personally hated being lectured when it comes to that 'idiot'.

"By the way, Misaka, where do you plan to take your freshman high school?" Saten changed the subject. "Have you chose any schools here in Academy City?"

Now, Misaka almost spitted her drink the moment Saten asked that question. Since the rehabilitation of Academy City, high-ranking Espers has been given the limited freedom of choosing the choice of their schools, be it in Academy City or outside as long as they are bound in a contract or agreement struck to them by the Board of Directors. Among them is the regular conducting of tests of their abilities as well as the power to recall them back. Misaka didn't like the contents of the contract that she was handed to but nevertheless, she agreed just for the sake of being able to get out of the city freely, though she still had to control her own trigger-happy behavior as this is one thing she can get punished by Tokiwadai or worse, their own Dorm Supervisor.

"Ah…the truth is…I haven't choose any school as of the moment. Not yet." Misaka made an excuse as she faked a cough.

"Or…" Saten's smile suddenly became too creepy. "You want to go to the same school as that high school boy who has spiky black hair and wears the number 16 on his own team…"

"Sh-Shut up!" Misaka got flustered as she choked into her own soda.

"Let's watch the Olympics Basketball Event! Says Misaka as Misaka jumps into glee at seeing the Sisters' savior on television!"

That familiar and cute voice can be heard in a rooftop of a certain hospital.

"But you nor the rest of the Sisters can't go out of the city unless the Doctor would grant the rest of the Sisters the freedom to go out of the city and head towards this little school the Big Sister calls Seirin High School, says Misaka attempting to explain properly to Serial Number 200001."

While the two people in question were busy arguing, another one of her lookalike sisters is busy watching some kind of video in her flip phone. Another lookalike is there watching with her. And another lookalike is with them watching with the other two.

In short, this people are no other than the Siblings of Misaka—the clones that were originally produced in order to help Accelerator, the Level 1 Esper in Academy City, reach Level 6. But with the help of Kamijou Touma, the project was terminated and as of the moment, they were all currently living normal lives. The one time they got into another crisis, they were forcibly evacuated via a sealed cargo away from Academy City while the smallest of them, Serial Number 20001 which is none other than Last Order, was brought to Alaska. Right now, they were brought back to try and resume living their normal lives once again.

"Hey, girls, what's going on?"

The raspy voice of Heaven Canceller was heard as he was gong upstairs towards the rooftop of his hospital. Despite what has happened in the past, including having to go to Egypt to help Aleister Crowley and the latter's daughter Lilith. What has happened to them, only a few knows right now and the doctor just happened to be one of them. But right now, it was just another day of duty for Heaven Canceller, who have been busy these days from taking care of sick patients to attending to the needs of the Misaka sisters, who often go to him for such necessities.

However, one thing seemed to be bothering him as he was going up.

"It seems that Kamijou Touma's not been admitted the past few weeks now, huh," the frog-faced doctor mumbled to himself as he goes up in the hospital's roof to join the Misaka Sister's and Last Order.

Once he did joined them, he then noticed the group discussing something very strange. "But Misaka as Misaka wants to go to Tokyo to see the hero play that game called basketball, says Misaka as Misaka stomps her foot in anger," Last Order whined as she began to grumble and complain.

"But doctor said that we cannot just simply leave Academy City without proper authorization, says Misaka as she gently advises Misaka to give up," Misaka Imouto tried to explain it though she was at the end of her patience.

"Hey, girls, what's going on?" Heaven Canceller, confused at their topic, now asked them what they were talking about.

Misaka Imouto then hands a phone with a prepared video from it. It was the practice game between Seirin and Shutoku.

The moment Heaven Canceller played it, he cannot believed his eyes. "What the? I-It's none other than my regular patient! Wait, is this from outside Academy City?!"

The ten Misaka Sisters and Last Order all nodded in unison. As the video played on, he was quite surprised to see him play in a high level. "I never knew he could play at something like this. Wait, if he's outside Academy City, then could it be that he's not anymore studying here?"

"The hero is now studying in a school called Seirin High, says Misaka as Misaka attempts to explain the situation of watching the hero play outside!" Last Order once again whined loudly.

"Big Sister told the Sisters about this and she even showed this video. There is also news that he'll play in the Olympics, Says Misaka trying to explain what the ruckus is all about." Misaka 10032 explains rather clumsily.

"I—I see. So that's why I never heard of him again." Heaven Canceller nodded as he watches his regular patient and a green-haired man go one-on-one. "Seirin? I never heard of that school…"

For the remaining weeks before the Tokyo Olympics finally goes underway, the national team was training very hard, to be frank. Given that the time they have is very limited as they only have less than three weeks before their first game would start, Coach Shirogane was very much monstrous in putting his war-potentials under specific training regimen that they are ending up feeling like jelly by the end of the day. Kamijou, despite his monstrous stamina gained from his past battles, knew from day one never to underestimate the former Teiko bench tactician as he found himself struggling to even sit properly in the floor after having to jog and do some shuttle runs all day long while watching Kuroko and Kagami do the same thing. It even came to the point where Mibuchi was already beginning to throw up one day.

"Eeeeek! Reo-nee! Here!" Luckily, Hayama came to his rescue and brought in a bucket to help prevent the Rakuzan shooting guard's vomit from carelessly splashing in the floor.

"Oi!" Midorima, seeing his lucky item for the day being used as a puke holder, shouted angrily at Hayama for using the pail without his permission. "That's my bucket! It's my lucky item for the day! Why did you use it without permission, nanodayo!"

"Tse…don't listen to him." Aomine rudely drawled as he was busy shooting some free throw shots. "It's just his stupid horoscope…"

"What did you say, nanodayo?!" Midorima didn't appreciate the tanned man's malicious comments and was about to give him a piece of mind.

"Midorima! Aomine! Stop that immediately!" Akashi intervened again before the two can even engage each other in a fistfight. "And Hayama-senpai, it would be better if you clean that up afterwards. I don't want to hear Midorima's endless complaints about his so-called lucky items."

"Hai!" Hayama knew better than to try and argue with Akashi as he readily complies with their captain's orders.

Kamijou was watching all of this unfold before his eyes as he was sitting on the floor while drinking a bottle of Gatorade. "His lucky item is a bucket? Hnn…not my business though." He shrugged as he then saw Kuroko entering the gymnasium as he had just finished his sprints outside the gymnasium. "Yo Kuroko, finished?"

"Yes, Kamijou-kun, though I'm a bit exhausted as of now. Did you see Momoi-san? I know she had those Gatorade bottles that you were consuming right now." Kuroko asked politely as he looks around the area in hopes of finding the pinkette.

"Ah, that Momoi? I think I saw her enter that office." Kamijou glances at a room near the sidelines. Kuroko bows to him as a sign of gratitude before eventually going to that place. As everyone was wrapping up their practice, Kamijou was finally standing as he then took a lone basketball lying in the floor and began to dribble like he was against his imaginary defenders. He then began to move forward and then stopped for a moment like he got blocked by an unseen force before he then motioned to his right before crossing to his left. He dashed towards the ring and as he leaps up, he floats in the air and imagining that he got stopped by a bigman, he switched his shooting hand mid-air and he goes for a double-clutch shot as he lays the ball in over his head before landing in the hardwood floor.

"Streetball moves, huh? You're better than that Bakagami…"

Kamijou heard that someone is talking to him and turned around, only to see Aomine smirking at him as he was holding a leather basketball. "I supposed that you won't mind if we have a little one-on-one."

The spiky haired boy really didn't want to disagree but he felt like he was being forced by Aomine to play with him. Nevertheless, he replies. "I don't mind. Who's going offense?" He said as he then passes the ball to the taller teen.

"Then I don't mind of I go first." Aomine replied as he then jab his step while Kamijou is defending as he lowers his posture and arms. Damn! This guy's taller than me! Stopping him right now is close to improbable. Just my luck.

As Aomine was about to cut in the right, Kamijou step back a bit and followed to where Aomine was headed. He had fast reflexes. I can't let my guard drop down. The Touou standout mentally said as he then changes his path and quickly crossed to his left as the spiky haired boy was momentarily frozen.

But that was temporary.

As Aomine was about to dash to his left, the Imagine Breaker wielder quickly respond by extending his right hand to the blind spot of the ace, causing Aomine to suddenly lose control of the ball though he managed to recover it quickly after a scramble. Smiling as he knew the opponent in front of him is a strong one, Aomine decided to immediately shoot a formless shot as the boy had little hopes of blocking it due to his shorter body frame.

As the ball went in, the boy can only grunt as he recovers the ball. It was his turn for the offense. Quickly dribbling the ball hard, he then dashes forward towards Aomine and the latter responds by quickly extending his arms in an effort to stop the boy. But Kamijou quickly stopped moving and made a hesitation dribble as he then slows down and views his battlefield with his Falcon Eyes. I guess I'll have to use this to good use.

Kamijou then slowly dribbled to his right with Aomine following. Suddenly, with his full speed, he quickly crossed to his left and began to attack the basket. Stunned by his quickness which he somewhat expected from past reports but not this fast, Aomine nevertheless managed to catch up and try to block the boy, who was about to leap into the air. But Kamijou's Falcon Eyes let him see the impending danger and as Aomine extended his left arm to swat the layup, Kamijou postponed his movement midair and quickly ducked in as he switches into his right hand to shoot the ball overhead as he lands in the floor. The ball went in smoothly.

"Dammit! That caught me off-guard alright…" Aomine sweated as he smiled at the fact that someone other than Bakagami and his fellow GoM as well as the Jabberwocks managed to outrun him. "I'll then…"

"You two! Stop now! We have an important announcement!"

The two then turned to see Coach Takeuchi shouting at the two of them. Dropping the ball that they used for their mini-game, the two then joined up with the rest of the players who are gathered in the middle. "What's with this fuss?" Kise asked Midorima who was the nearest to him.

"It looks like it's related to our incoming games…and the strongest opponents we might face." Midorima pushed up his glasses as Shirogane, together with Momoi, then entered the scene and ffaced his players calmly before opening his mouth.

"It's good to see you all training hard for this once-in-a-lifetime-event." The white-haired man began speaking solemnly. "As you can see, all of our opponents are people who are from the pros and a few are even in the NBA. Here, there are a few whom we saw that are a threat to our campaign."

In a few minutes, all the players were led to the scouting room where Momoi and Aida would present through a slide the foreign players that they might face in the tournament.

"First of all." Shirogane began to start rambling as he then point to a certain player. "I believe that some of you are familiar with these two players but just for memory refreshment for those who either forgot or didn't even heard of them, these two players are Jason Silver and Nash Gold Jr. The same players the teams Strky and Vorpal Swords went up to…"

To those who were in those two teams mentioned or have met the Jabberwocks cornerstones, this is nothing short of a bad news as they all leaned in and listened.

"With a height of 210 cm (6'11") and a weight of 115 kg, Jason Silver is touted as one of the best centers in the Olympics." Momoi reported as she went on. "Joining Silver is another familiar face. Standing at 190 cm with a listed weight of 82 kg, Nash Gold Jr. is arguably one of the up-coming tournament's hot shots and would be a dangerous opponent for guards like Akashi-kun and Kamijou-kun."

Yeah right. Kamijou bitterly remembered his cramps back in America which caused him his supposed win over the Jabberwocks captain.

"That doesn't make me afraid, to be honest." Aomine said as he cleans his ear with his pinky.

"Same thoughts." Midorima pushes up his glasses.

"Oh…" Shirogane then interrupted. "But they not the ones we should be worried about in the tournament." This statement caused everyone to respond with a simultaneous "Huh?"

Shirogane then took the remote control from Momoi and began to move the slide by two pages until he stopped at a page with a particular picture of a man with a white t-shirt. It was just a picture but his particular body frame made everyone's eyes suddenly grow large that it seemed they were ready to burst out of their eye sockets.

"Oi…oi…is this serious?" Kise can't believe that he just saw a picture of a player who is much bigger than even Jason Silver. "H-He's basically taller than Jason Silver and a lot heftier."

"Neh…doesn't that guy looks like a gorilla, like this guy?" Murasakibara rudely points to his former captain, who merely cries at the compliment while some snickers.

Aida had a grim expression in her face as she then reads her report. "Call him a gorilla or a monkey all you want but this doesn't change the fact that he's a formidable opponent. Aleksandr Shpagin. Stands at a listed height of 7'1" and a weight of 117 kg with a wingspan of 7'9". He's the number one pick in the NBA Draft and now holds the record of the most number of blocks for a rookie." She then pauses for a moment and looks at the team. "Russia has failed to qualify in the past three Olympic Basketball tournaments despite being a traditional European power in basketball. But with Shpagin in the tow now, Russia has been tipped as the favorites now to actually win the tournament, not Silver and Gold's US team. While the rest of the Russians are no slouch either, it'll be Shpagin that their team will be centered on."

I knew it. I know this reaction would be the same as the first time I hear that man's name. Midorima grimaced as he remembered the first time he saw Shpagin's face in the SLAM magazine Takao had shown him once.

"But, we can just isolate him, right?" Aomine drawled. "We can leave Murasakibara in him…"

"It's not as easy as what you think." Shirogane cut him off. "Shpagin's body is described as tough as a tank. If you think Jason Silver is the strongest that you have faced, then I suggest you unlearn that one. Unless Murasakibara gets to buff his body or improve his post defense, then there is zero chance that we can get past him…"

Everyone was silent as Aida then shows them detailed statistics about Aleksandr Shpagin. This is serious. Kiyoshi can't help but be worried as he realized a lot of things. Me and Murasakibara can probably double-team this guy at selected minutes but other than that, there should be other ways to counter him.

"We can't dawdle for long. All of you can go home now to rest." Shirogane then decided to call it a day. "But we'll be early tomorrow!"

"Hai!"

"Ippon! Let's be careful!"

The voice of Shun Izuki is heard echoing in the large gymnasium of Seirin High School as he and Hyuga as well as the remaining basketball club members are now practicing very hard. Their coach as well as four of their regulars is understandably absent from their regular drills since they are with the Akatsuki Five so they had to do with whoever is present in the team.

"Izuki!" Hyuga calls out for the ball and the Eagle Eyed point guard passes it but before it can even reached the hands of their captain, Hamazura swiftly swooped between the two and quickly stole the ball before going for a fast break.

But he wasn't yet near the three-point line when Mitobe and Koganei had already caught up to him. Quickly, he saw Furihata and passed the leather to him. The cowardly Chihuahua then shot it and a clank in the hoop was heard.

"Yosh!" Hamazura was getting better at this point as he ran back toward their goal. After a few more minutes, Hyuga has called it quits and decided to end the whole scrimmage. As the rest of the players are now resting in the benches, the former Skill-Out noticed that the atmosphere is eerily—quiet? He didn't know how to put it but he can tell it's not the same as the past few days.

"It's so silent today…" Hamazura can't help but let out his thoughts.

"Not surprised. Nearly half of the roster isn't here right now." Izuki sighed as he removes his shoes. "But that doesn't mean we'll stop practice. We'll just keep pushing ourselves to be better like what we always did."

"By the way, when does the Olympics start?" Koganei asked, quite excited about the said event.

"I heard that it will start in August 13." Hyuga replied. "If I'm not mistaken, that's their first game as well."

"Woah, that's amazing…" Tsuchida replied.

As everyone was talking with each other excitedly, Hamazura can only watch them. Being here outside of Academy City isn't really bad, after all.

Sneak Peek: The Olympics have started and Kamijou and his band of other players have started their day with a game immediately after the opening ceremony. But aside from that, he'll come to reunite with a familiar face and it wasn't expected at all. Who was this? What does that person wants?